Unemployed? You May Be Eligible to Take the GRE for Half the Price

It’s great that Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke thinks the recession is “likely over,” but that does little to lift the spirits of the unemployed. There is, however, a little sympathy for those in need coming from an unlikely source: the company that administers the Graduate Record Examination, or the GRE. (In my experience, at least, companies that run standardized tests rarely show their humanity. I mean, look at what they do.)

It’s a heavily restricted offer, but it’s something.

As many adults are heading back to school during this recession, Electronic Testing Services is letting unemployed workers apply to take the GRE for half-price, lowering the registration to $75 from $150. To qualify, potential test-takes must be:

a U.S. resident or resident alien

18 or older

currently unemployed and must have become unemployed in the past six months

planning to take the computer-based test in the U.S. Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands

able to submit a copy of an unemployment benefits statement from the past 90 days

A call to the local GRE testing site took me to Electronic Testing Services main office for confirmation that the promotion, which began in May, is still on. While several people at the central office said the promotion was still going on, no one could tell me exactly how many half-price spots were still open—so take the opportunity sooner rather than later.

You can download the reduced rate application here and register for the GRE at ets.org/gre.